94. Siege of Samaria. 2 Kings vi. 24-vii; viii. 7-15 and 2 Chron. xxi. 18-xxii. 9. Benhadad and all his host went up and besieged Samaria,78 and there was a great famine. The most loathsome food was eaten, and women killed and ate their children. The king wore sackcloth next his skin for grief. He wickedly resolved to kill Elisha, and immediately sent an executioner, while he followed after. Before the messenger of death arrived at Elisha's residence, Elisha said to the elders, "See ye how this 'son of a murderer hath sent to take away mine head? Look, when the messenger cometh, shut the door, and hold him fast at the door: is not the sound of his master's feet behind him ?" When the king came up Elisha announced that the next day provisions should be abundant and cheap in Samaria. A lord on whom the king leaned expressed his disbelief of it. Elisha said to him, "Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof." Four lepers who sat at the gate of the city, pressed with hunger, went to the Syrian camp; but when they came they found no man there. The Lord had made the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and horses, and they fled in the twilight, leaving their tents, horses, and asses. The lepers first hid some of the spoil for themselves, and then went and told in the city that the Syrians had fled. The people went to the camp and carried away the spoil of the Syrians to Samaria; and the prophecy of Elisha was fulfilled, for there was abundance of food. The lord who had disbelieved the prophecy, was appointed to have charge of the gate of the city, where he was trodden to death by the people. Thus he saw the abundance but did not eat thereof, as Elisha had foretold. According to the prediction of Elijah, Jehoram was smitten with an incurable disease in his bowels. He died of this disease after having reigned eight years. His son Ahaziah succeeded him. Elisha 'visited Damascus when Benhadad, the king of Syria,38 was sick. Benhadad sent Hazael with forty camels' burden, of every good thing in Damascus, ‘as a present to Elisha, and he was to inquire of him, if he should recover of his disease. Elisha told Hazael to say, "Thou mayest certainly recover; howbeit the LORD hath showed me that he shall surely die." Then the man of God wept. And Hazael said, "Why weepeth my lord?" And he answered, "Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword." And Hazael said, "But what, is thy servant a dog, that he should do this great thing?" And Elisha answered, "The LORD hath showed me that thou shalt be king over Syria." When Hazael came to his master he said that Elisha had told him, that he should surely recover. On the morrow, Hazael took a thick cloth, and dipped it in water, and spread it on Benhadad's face, so that he died and Hazael reigned in his stead. : EXPLANATIONS. c great famine-it would appear that it was the design of Benhadad in this unexpected siege to shut up the people of Samaria to all the horrors of a famine, by investing the city with his troops rather than to take it speedily by assault. and ate, &c.-foretold by Moses. Deut. xxviii. 53-57. wickedly resolved, &c.-this design was rashly formed on his hearing of the crime just alluded to. He charged upon Elisha all the consequences of the extremity to which the city was reduced from an idea that he could procure them relief, if he were only willing. sent an executioner, &c.-How grateful should we be that we live in an age, and a country where no such officer is found about the court of our gracious queen! Even the refined court of Solo mon had a Benaiah. Les. 66. 67. elders-the older of his disciples. son of a murderer-Joram thus proved himself the genuine offspring of Ahab and Jezebel. hath sent, &c.-the prophet had received divine intimation of what had just occurred. hold him fast-so as to prevent him from executing his bloody commission till his master should arrive. "The same eye that saw the executioner coming to smite him, saw the king hastening after him to stay the blow." Bp. Hall. shalt not eat, &c.-unbelief is the ruin of many. They who would limit divine interference in human affairs to their own confined and self-conceited views of what can or cannot be, daringly impeach God's power. pressed with hunger, &c.-the exclusion of these men from the city, and their resolve to visit the Syrian camp are explained by the different customs of both people with respect to those afflicted with leprosy. See leper. Les. 91. the Lord had made, &c.-except we deny at once the existence and attributes of God, how can we deny the infinite resources at His command to effect that which to human power and foresight seems impossible. charge of the gate-wo regulate the passing to and fro of the people for the convenience of all. visited Damascus-Elisha was not an obscure individual at this time, for no sooner had he entered Damascus than the report of his arrival reached the court of Benhadad. as a present-which Elisha doubtless appropriated to the use of those schools of the prophets over which he presided. Thou mayest...recover-thy disease will not cause thy death, for it is not of a fatal character. thou shalt be king-the object of Elisha's visit was to fulfil the commission which had been given to Elijah. Les. 82. so that, &c.-the natural result of Hazael's violence; he probably smothered his master. CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. HAZAEL-the officer of the king of Syria whom Elijah was to anoint, but it does not appear that he executed this com-, mission. On Elisha's visit to Damascus, he was visited by Hazael; Elisha predicted his elevation to the throne of Syria, and wept for the cruelties he would commit. The next day Hazael treacherously stifled his master and became king. QUESTIONS. To what desperate straits were the people of Samaria reduced when Benhadad besieged the city? What revolting events occurred that had been predicted? Why did Joram resolve to kill Elisha? Why did Elisha command that the executioner should be detained at the door? Narrate a case of unbelief and its punishment which now occurred. Why did the Syrians flee? What answer did he send to Benhadad's inquiry? How do you reconcile this with what he said to Hazael? PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. Famine is a frightful evil, especially when caused by war. We should be very thankful when our country enjoys abundance and peace. Jehoram blamed the prophet Elisha; hardened sinners cannot see their own criminality, "their eyes they have closed." The unbelieving lord is a warning to us against distrust in God's power, but man's extremity is God's opportunity. The flight of the Syrians shows that" the wicked flee when no man pursueth." The fearful end of Jehoram was in accordance with Elijah's prophecy, "The wages of sin is death"-death temporal and death eternal. Hazael felt himself secure from the sins Elisha prophetically charged upon him; most people think themselves armed against sins which they afterwards fall into. 95. Jehu anointed King. Jezebel's Death. 2 Kings ix, x. Elisha sent one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu, the son of Nimshi, to be king. When he came, all the captains of the host were sitting together, and he said to Jehu, "I have an errand to thee, O captain." And Jehu arose, and went into the house; and he poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel. And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. For the 'whole house of Ahab shall perish; . . and I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah: And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in 'the portion of Jezreel.” Jehu returned to the captains and told them what the young man had said; 'then they took every man his garment, and 'put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, "Jehu is king." When Jehu came near Jezreel, Joram and Ahaziah went forth, each in his chariot, to meet him, and they met him in the portion of Naboth, the Jezreelite. Then Joram said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" Jehu answered by reminding him of the wickedness of his mother Jezebel; whereupon Joram turned to flee, saying, "There is treachery, O Ahaziah." Then Jehu drew a bow, and smote Joram between his arms; the arrow went out at his heart, and Joram sank down in his chariot. Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, "Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for 'remember how that when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him; surely I have seen 'yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD." As Ahaziah fled, Jehu followed, saying, "Smite him also in the chariot." And they did so; and he fled to Megiddo, and died there. When Jehu came to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window, and said to Jehu, "Had Zimri peace, who slew his master ?" Jehu looked up to her, and told her servants to "Throw her down." She was thrown down and trodden under foot. After Jehu had eaten and drunk, he sent people to bury her; but they found only her skull, and feet, and the palms of her hands, for the dogs had eaten her flesh. Soon after, Jehu caused the 'rulers of the city to slay Ahab's seventy sons. On his way to Samaria he met the brethren of Ahaziah, and ordered them to be slain. Jehu afterwards met Jehonadab, the son of Rechab, and he took him up into his chariot, saying, "Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord." When he came to Samaria78 he slew all that remained of the house of Ahab. He then proclaimed a solemn assembly to Baal, and he put vestments on the worshippers of Baal; and when he offered the burntoffering, he sent in the guard and captains to slay them all. And they brought forth the images and brake down the house of Baal. Megiddo-a fortified city of Manasseh, from which the original inhabitants were not wholly expelled at the conquest of Canaan. EXPLANATIONS. Elisha sent, &c.-as the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha, so the commission given to Elijahat Horeb, (Les. 82.) fell to Elisha to execute. Hazael had already had his appointment, Jehu is now to receive his. one of the sons, &c.-according to Jewish tradition this person was Jonah the son of Amittai. Les. 102. went into the house-hence it appears that the captains were assembled in some open or public apartment; probably the room over the gate. Jehu and the prophet retired to an inner room. the people of the Lord-notwithstanding all their sins, the Lord still graciously acknowledged Israel as his own people. See Deut. xiv. 2. the blood of my servants, &c.-here the fact is disclosed that Ahab and his family were sanguinary persecutors of the saints. The prophet makes no mention of their idolatries here, the crime of killing the Lord's prophets is that for the punishment of which Jehu is ap pointed the executioner. whole house, &c.-indiscriminate punishment is not the characteristic of the righteous Judge of all the earth; though it cannot be asserted that upright persons escape all the evils which may befal their ungodly family or nation. Here, however, the sad inference is plain that the whole house of Ahab followed his example, so that each for himself merited condign punishment. the portion of Jezreel-Naboth's vineyard. then they took, &c.-a pre-disposition of mind to receive Jehu's testimony as to his appointment, must have been miraculously imparted to the captains; otherwise we cannot account for the unanimity with which they acknowledged him as king. put it under him-expressive of their submission of loyalty to him as king. Is it peace, &c.-Has peace been established with Syria that you have returned from the scat of war? remember how, &c.-Ahab's guard were wont to ride two and two, and Jehu and Bidkar, had heard Elijah's words as they were riding together, as Ahab's guard, fifteen years before. this burden, &c.-the denunciations of the prophets were called burdens, as predicting a heavy burden of misery which the guilty party could neither endure nor remove. yesterday-fifteen years before was present as yesterday to the Almighty Judge. Les. 85. Smite him also-he was Ahab's grandson on the mother's side. Les. 93, 94. rulers of the city-some of whom had doubtless assisted in carrying out the infamous design of Jezebel for the murder of Naboth. my zeal, &c.-however Jehu boasted of his zeal, and would have it seen; the law of God was express, that idolaters should be put to death. CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. BIDKAR-the captain who was in attendance with Jehu on Ahab at the time when Elijah pronounced on him his doom of requital for the murder of Naboth. JEHONADAB-the founder of the distinct race of the Kenites. (Les. 35.) called Rechabites. Jeremiah XXXV. He was eminent for his self-denial and devotion to the true worship of God. QUESTIONS. What commission of Elijah was now How did the captains act? PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. From the message conveyed to Jehu we perceive that kings have their appointment from God, he removeth kings, and setteth up kings. We see that hereditary wickedness eventually ends in the total destruction of families. The answer to Joram's question, "Is it peace, Jehu?" shows us that the way of sin can never be the way of peace. "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Ahaziah was joined to the house of Ahab both in affinity and iniquity; it is dangerous to associate with evildoers. The miserable end of Jezebel is another seal to the sure word of prophecy. Jehu's boasted zeal for the Lord was manifested by a fraud which cannot be justified. The truth of God needs not any lie. 96. Athaliah's Reign. Joash Proclaimed. 2 Chron. xxii. 10-xxiv. 14; 2 Kings xi, xii. 4-16. When Ahaziah, king of Judah, was dead, his mother Athaliah destroyed all the seed royal of Judah, 'except Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, who was saved by his aunt, Jehosheba, the wife of Jehoiada, the priest. She stole him from among the king's sons which were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber, and she hid him in the 'house of God six years, while 'Athaliah reigned over the land. In the seventh year of Athaliah's reign, Jehoiada resolved to proclaim Joash king. He strengthened himself, and appointed captains who went about in Judah,73 and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the chief of the fathers of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.32 And all the congregation made a covenant with the king in the house of God. And Jehoiada said unto them, "Behold, the king's son shall reign, 'as the LORD hath said of the sons of David." He told the captains and the Levites 'how to guard the king; and then he and his sons brought out the king's son, and 'put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and said, "God save the king." Athaliah hearing the noise came into the house of the Lord, and when she saw that all the people of the land rejoiced, she rent her clothes, and said "Treason." Jehoiada would not have her slain in the house of the Lord, but she was slain at the entering of the horse-gate, by the king's house. Jehoiada governed the kingdom for Joash, while the king was young, during which time the kingdom prospered. The people 'covenanted to serve God. They brake down the house of Baal, and slew Mattan, the priest of Baal. And the 'king sent for Jehoiada and the other priests and required of them that the temple should be repaired; for the sons of Athaliah had broken up the house of God, and they had bestowed the dedicated things upon Baalim; and Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar, on the right side as one cometh into the house of the Lord: and the priests that kept the door put therein all the money that was brought into the house of the Lord. So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in its state, and strengthened it. And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord. Even 'vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt-offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada. And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada, the priest. |